December 10, 2019

Voted on separately

Each of these had its own motion and vote.

1. Council rezones Coxe/Asheland Mixed-Use Development, with conditions, from Central Business District (CBD) to Central Business Expansion District (CBD EXP CZ).

   Passed. Voted no: Sheneika Smith.

   What's planned: “The construction of a new mixed-use development, with the amendment to the B.1 Conditions that the applicant will fund any traffic calming measures which the City deems necessary as a result of the project up to $30,000”

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   Council voted to rezone Coxe/Asheland Mixed-Use Development, with conditions, from Central Business District (CBD) to Central Business Expansion District (CBD EXP CZ).

   • “On the 4.5 acre site, they have broken up the mass so spaces have air, light and plantings in the middle of the development.”
   • “He also was pleased that the private sector is helping with our affordable housing crisis.”
   • “She expressed concerns about the trees, parking, stormwater, and small amount of affordable housing.”

   What that means

   Conditional zoning:

   Zoning for one property with conditions the owner must follow, such as a site plan or a cap on size.

2. Council approves the Land Use Incentive Grant to the Tribute Companies for the Asheland / Coxe Development for an amount not.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).

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   Council voted to approve the Land Use Incentive Grant to the Tribute Companies for the Asheland / Coxe Development for an amount not to exceed $80,000 per affordable unit with the direction to staff to review possible LUIG policy changes of adjusting a cap based on inflation amount as it related to tax and value.

   • What the City says it's for: “The proposed project will provide forty-nine (49) units affordable to households at 80% or less of median income for an affordability period of twenty (20) years.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “For 20 years and 49 affordable units at 80% AMI, the city will grant back a total of $5,894,800 over the 16 years of the LUIG which equals $120,302 per affordable unit of subsidy which is higher than the current estimate of up to $80,000 in subsidy for 80% AMI homes as suggested by our Lord Aeck Sargeant consultants.”
   • “Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of (1) a resolution granting a land use incentive grant to support affordable housing units at Asheland/Coxe Avenues.”
   • “Request/application by Tribute Companies for a Land Use Incentive Grant (LUIG) to support affordable housing units at a mixed-use, mixed-income development at Asheland / Coxe Avenues.”
   • “The development consists of 488 rental apartments with 10% (49) of the homes proposed for 80% Area Median Income (AMI) for 20 years.”

3. Council approves the request by Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to borrow $860,000 from the Housing Trust Fund.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).

   More

   • What the City says it's for: “The loan fund will not accrue interest.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “AAHH requests a HTF loan in the amount of $860,000 which they will pair with $964,000 of their own equity.”
   • “In response to increased demand for for-sale housing available to low and moderate income households, staff approached Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) to explore their capacity for constructing single-family homes in Asheville neighborhoods within their larger project cycle.”
   • “AAHH proposes to complete 8 homes and make them available for sale to households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).”
   • “Of the 8 homes, 2 are existing structures acquired by AAHH. The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) investment in these two properties will be considered down payment assistance for the homeowner, and go in at closing.”

4. Council approves a zoning change, with conditions, for a land use incentive grant.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   More

   • What the City says it's for: “The proposed project will create 6 affordable rental housing units made available to households earning 80% or less of AMI for a period of 20 years.”
   • “The property’s location and commitment to affordable housing merits a score of 40 on the LUIG scoring matrix, resulting in an award period of 4 years.”
   • “Quality Affordable Housing”
   • “The proposed project addresses the City’s stated priority for one-bedroom apartments.”

   What that means

   Conditional zoning:

   Zoning for one property with conditions the owner must follow, such as a site plan or a cap on size.

Approved together on the consent agenda

7 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

1. Council changes its agreement with Maple Crest, LLC, and the Housing Authority.

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   Council voted to change its agreement with Maple Crest, LLC, and the Housing Authority for the reimbursement of costs associated with soil remediation, stormwater improvements and other construction related activities that support the future development of property at 319 Biltmore Avenue.

   • “The City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Duke Energy in January 2017 for property located at 319 Biltmore Avenue and later entered into an Option to Purchase the property in October 2017 in order to redevelop the property for an affordable, mixed income community.”
   • “In 2018, the City developed site concepts and performed pro-forma analysis for affordable housing on 319 Biltmore and is taking next steps to market the site for redevelopment.”
   • “The site is one of the “High Impact Sites” included within the Affordable Housing Bond program.”

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

2. Council sets a public hearing on January 14, 2020.

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   Council voted to set a public hearing on January 14, 2020, on issuing long-term (20 year) General Obligation bonds related to the 2016 Bond Referendum introduction of Bond Order authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds related to the 2016 Bond Referendum.

   • The money, in the minutes' words: “In May, 2018, Council authorized the issuance of a General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note in an amount not to exceed $23,000,000.”

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

   Bonds:

   Bonds are loans the City pays back over many years, with interest.

   Public hearing:

   A time at a Council meeting when anyone can speak about the item before Council votes on it.

3. Council enacts a through truck prohibition along Royal Pines Drive from Sweeten Creek Road to Hendersonville Road in South Asheville.

   More

   Council voted to enact a through truck prohibition along Royal Pines Drive from Sweeten Creek Road to Hendersonville Road in South Asheville.

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

4. Council carries over money for contracts and orders from last year.

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   Council voted to move money left from last year into this year's budget, to pay for contracts, purchase orders and other items that carried over.

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

5. Official title

   Resolution authorizing the City Manager to Execute easement agreements or abandon easements on behalf of the City under certain circumstances.

   More

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

6. Council sets the schedule for the 2020-21 budget.

   More

   Council voted to set the schedule for the 2020-21 budget.

   • “Formal presentation of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget on May12, 2020; and”

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

7. Council sets its meeting schedule.

   More

   Council voted to set its meeting schedule.

   What that means

   Consent agenda:

   Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.

Everything on the agenda

From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.